How Do You Stay Focused Playing Live?

[XXEddie 0]

Ok, I have been playing online for the last few years and as some of you know I've done pretty well for myself winning a few tourneys as well as a WSOP seat. I have probably totalled a profit around 30k over that time, 20k coming in the last 12 months. Nothing absolutely huge but it's a nice additional profit. I just started playing live about 8 months ago and over that time I've probably lost some where around 5-7k. I'm pretty sure I know why I do well online as opposed to doing so bad live. Online, I can do something else to keep my interest. Such as, multi-tabling, surfing the web, playing games....etc etc. However, there isn't much I can do live, so I get bored and start making bad plays just to gamble. A perfect example happened today. I went to play a 4/8 choice game and after an hour or so I was doing ok, like up 100 or so at one point, but then I started getting bored, seeing most flops regardless of my hand, then eventually it escalated into capping 90% of hands dark. I just get bored, and on top of that, I don't see a reason to leave as I have nothing else to do somedays. Not to mention, 3 of the 4 games I play at live are a ways away so I don't wanna drive that far to just play for an hour of two.I've tried somethings like bring my Zune, playing games on my cell phone, it may work for an hour or so but then I get bored again.So to those of you who do well live, what kind of advice can you give that could help someone stayed more focused when playing live? Thanks in advance.

[chrozzo 19]

stop getting your gf pregnant..and you might save some money

[The Lobster 0]

I wouldn't say I am an accomplished live player by any means, and I don't play a ton either - usually only like 5-6 times a month at the casino, but I have gotten better over recent months and boredom and my reaction to it as well is something I feel a lot better about.Basically what helped me the most was just realizing how bad most live players are (at least in AZ they are ), and that is my motivation for not falling into the trap of playing too many hands. You don't need to force action because when you do get good starting hands and end up making your hands, more often than not you will get paid off. No need to force action or bluff unbluffable players.Also, I go take a 5 minute walk every 90 minutes or so, just as a nice refresher and to get my mind back straight.To keep myself focused at the tables when I am not in a hand, I always play the 'Nuts' game (identify as quickly as possible what hand would be the nuts on each street), and just try to put each player on hand ranges. That not only helps improve my hand reading skills, but also is a benefit to me when I actually get into a hand with someone.I'm not a big fan of bringing an mp3 player or anything, as I try to focus on poker as much as possible (although I am prone to watching the big screens occasionally), but again I am not grinding a ton, so maybe it would be different if i was.And if at any time I'm just not 'feeling it' or just can't focus, I'll just call it a day and know there will always be a good game the next time I come back.Again, nothing earthshattering here, but all that has helped me become a better live player, imo.

[GWCGWC 83]

Move up to a game where the bets count in relation to your BR. I have a much harder time staying focused online.

[bull62 0]

Flirt with the cocktail waitresses. Seriously though, I do a lot of what lobster said. Try and put people on hands even when you're not in the hand. Of course most of the time it can be like trying to put someone on a hand at 10NL online. Realize you're there to make money, not nutbar.

[ROGUE06 0]

adderall, energy drinks, ipod, conversation

[XXEddie 0]

stop getting your gf pregnant..and you might save some money

I only had to pay like 45 cent for the coat hanger.

Also, I go take a 5 minute walk every 90 minutes or so, just as a nice refresher and to get my mind back straight.I'm not a big fan of bringing an mp3 player or anything, as I try to focus on poker as much as possible (although I am prone to watching the big screens occasionally), but again I am not grinding a ton, so maybe it would be different if i was.And if at any time I'm just not 'feeling it' or just can't focus, I'll just call it a day and know there will always be a good game the next time I come back.Again, nothing earthshattering here, but all that has helped me become a better live player, imo.

Now that I think about it, walking around does help. Sometime i will walk around the room a little during a hand once I fold and when i sit back down I feel more calm and for time being, I am able to focus more. I agree with you on MP3s being distracting because I do try and pay attention to players and the music is distracting to that. Thanks for the advice

[XXEddie 0]

Flirt with the cocktail waitresses. Seriously though, I do a lot of what lobster said. Try and put people on hands even when you're not in the hand. Of course most of the time it can be like trying to put someone on a hand at 10NL online. Realize you're there to make money, not nutbar.

lol, if I was old enough to play in a real casino I would

[bull62 0]

This is all you need:"I'm not playing for the thrill of fucking victory here. I owe rent, alimony, child support. I play for money. My kids eat. I got stones enough not to chase cards, action...or fucking pipe dreams of winning the World Series on ESPN."

[whatgreatis 0]

Use this time to work on learning physical tells. When I play I never get bored because I'm always watching everyone make every move. Study their body and look for patterns that cooralate between their hand and their motions. You really shouldn't be getting bored and you should know better than to cap hands in the dark. I grew up playing live so it's natural to me but you really need to stay focused and try to start picking up on tells.

[Flushgarden 0]

Dude there's no excuse for somebody like you to lose that much live. What are you playing? If you cant beat the level you're at then move down. You should be confident that you can soundly beat 1-2 NL live before you move up to any bigger games. Just focus. Look for how you're going to exploit everybody at the table.I feel like bragging...I just had my first +1k+ live session the last Friday night.

[XXEddie 0]

Dude there's no excuse for somebody like you to lose that much live. What are you playing? If you cant beat the level you're at then move down. You should be confident that you can soundly beat 1-2 NL live before you move up to any bigger games. Just focus. Look for how you're going to exploit everybody at the table.I feel like bragging...I just had my first +1k+ live session the last Friday night.

3 1/2nl games1 4/8 choice game

[r0llin_game 2]

I only had to pay like 45 cent for the coat hanger.

plastic, wire, or wooden?

[XXEddie 0]

plastic, wire, or wooden?

wire, ftwwooden? you kidding???.... dick splinters, FTLedit- i'm surprised dick isn't censored

[r0llin_game 2]

**** shit **** why is my **** sensored yet, i see other's people's '****' not?

[XXEddie 0]

**** shit ****why is my **** sensored yet, i see other's people's '****' not?

lol, dickpwntfuck

[qyayqi 12]

wire, ftwwooden? you kidding???.... dick splinters, FTLedit- i'm surprised dick isn't censored

i think you're using it wrong.

[Franchise632 0]

This thread is amazing on so many levels...I am so glad I clicked on in. I have nothing of value to say....move along.

[KingJames 11]

I agree with a lot of what is said about paying attention to other players and betting patterns... much more important than physical tells... but take in everything you can...Are you still living in CO? You should PM me and we can exchange info on some games. I know some easy games in Denver... lower limits... 1/2NL and lower...GLJames

[XXEddie 0]

I agree with a lot of what is said about paying attention to other players and betting patterns... much more important than physical tells... but take in everything you can...Are you still living in CO? You should PM me and we can exchange info on some games. I know some easy games in Denver... lower limits... 1/2NL and lower...GLJames

Yeah. I know of 3 1/2nl games(Centennial, Westminster and Boulder) and a 4/8 choice game just north of Denver of I-25 and 70th a

[socalpoker_j 1]

If you can't beat 1/2 NL live, you should probably do some re-evaluating. Live poker for the most part (I'm not familiar with the games in CO) is like printing money, all the way up to the 5/10 levels. Of course, not having the proper mindset, stamina, etc. for long sessions can really cut into your earn, even if you feel like you have a veritable edge over the player pool for that game. I like to gauge the flow of the table right when I sit down and can usually do that by entering into light conversation with other players. It helps to develop an image through conversation (if its the same players usually) amongst these players in order to get paid off in certain spots where I wouldn't have, be able to make thinner bets, etc.

[XXEddie 0]

If you can't beat 1/2 NL live, you should probably do some re-evaluating. Live poker for the most part (I'm not familiar with the games in CO) is like printing money, all the way up to the 5/10 levels. Of course, not having the proper mindset, stamina, etc. for long sessions can really cut into your earn, even if you feel like you have a veritable edge over the player pool for that game.

I dont suck. I just get bored.

[r0llin_game 2]

I dont suck.

that's debatable

[Adam Junglen 0]

I literally just finished writing an article for Bluff magazine on this topic. Should be in the July issue.

[socalpoker_j 1]

I dont suck. I just get bored.

Sometimes its hard to get motivated if the relative stakes don't really mean anything. If there's not a significant amount of money to be lost or won, I find myself putting it on autopilot quite a bit and just playing a pretty "standard" game.